TOKYO – China’s behavior during the recent presidential election in Taiwan demonstrates that its leaders have learned some lessons, if only the hard way. They have learned that China can have a greater impact on Taiwanese voters through trade and making people feel richer than by threats – even threats to fire missiles – which had been China’s electoral tactics in previous Taiwanese elections, particularly when a pro-independence candidate looked popular enough to win.

Following a meeting Tuesday, senior diplomatic officials from the United States, Japan, and South Korea said that "a path is open" for Pyongyang to rejoin the suspended Six-Party talks on ending North Korea's nuclear program. But CFR Senior Fellow Scott A. Snyder says the talks are unlikely to resume soon. Snyder says North Korea, in the aftermath of Kim Jong-il's death, is waiting to see if a more favorable government will be elected in South Korea this year and is unwilling to improve inter-Korean relations, a U.S. requirement for resumption of dialogue with Pyongyang. "The North Koreans, by taking differing positions toward the United States and South Korea, appear to be trying to divide the United States and South Korea," says Snyder, "and the significance of the meeting in Washington Tuesday was to signal that that would not be acceptable from the U.S., South Korean, and Japanese points of view."

Despite an outward show of unity in the wake of Kim Jong-il's death, there is much unknown about North Korea's succession process, says Scott A. Snyder, CFR's top expert on Korea.

Autumn has brought an outbreak of good sense in Kashmir, but can it last?

China is assumed by many destined to overtake the US as the world's leading power. But history shows the dangers of extrapolating from today's growth numbers.

Fidel V. Ramos is a former president of the Philippines.

China is North Korea's most important ally; biggest trading partner; and main source of food, arms, and fuel. China has helped sustain Kim Jong-Il's regime and opposed harsh international economic sanctions in the hope of avoiding regime collapse and an uncontrolled influx of refugees across its eight-hundred-mile border with North Korea.

Adam Segal testifies before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations about Chinese cyber espionage and China's desire to reduce its dependence on the West for advanced technologies.

TOKYO—Just hours after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on Friday, government officials, the Bank of Japan and usually warring politicians promised to do what they can to figure out how to pay for the reconstruction work that will be required and to deal with the possible economic fallout from the disaster.

China has some $2.8 trillion in international reserves, placing the Middle Kingdom at the center of global finance. This is a geo-strategic advantage not lost on Beijing, but one not yet fully understood in the West. It is a lesson U.S. President Barack Obama needs to take away from his meeting this week with Chinese Premier Hu Jintao. If the United States and Europe want help with their sovereign debt, and help creating jobs, they must be willing to accept more Chinese investment.